謙譲語 patterns

Core meaning and form

Use humble lexical verbs or お/ご + stem + する for actions by the speaker or in-group directed toward a respected person. Do not humble the customer’s action or use a humble verb merely because the sentence is formal.

• Form: Use humble lexical verbs or お/ご + stem + する for actions by the speaker or in-group directed toward a respected person.
• Core use: 謙譲語 lowers the actor’s side and thereby shows respect to the action’s recipient or destination.
• Context: Do not humble the customer’s action or use a humble verb merely because the sentence is formal.

Examples in context

Common errors

• Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
• Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.

Quick summary

• Use humble lexical verbs or お/ご + stem + する for actions by the speaker or in-group directed toward a respected person.
• 謙譲語 lowers the actor’s side and thereby shows respect to the action’s recipient or destination.
• Do not humble the customer’s action or use a humble verb merely because the sentence is formal.